Private armed groups in Abra down to 7

The number of armed partisan groups identified with the various political clans in Abra was reduced further after three prominent families indicated their withdrawal from the local elections in May.

Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin, Task Force Abra chief, said they have only seven political families they have to contend with, including the clan of incumbent Gov. Vicente Valera.

Martin said the family of slain Mayor Marc Ysrael Bernos, among the three political clans in the province, has decided to withdraw from the elections. Bernos was assassinated last Jan. 13, 2006.

Although Bernos’ brother JV will run for mayor of La Paz town, Martin said the brother of the slain mayor has promised not to utilize private armed groups.

Martin though noted the strong political influence by Valera even after being linked to the assassination of Abra Rep. Luis "Chito" Bersamin Jr. last Dec. 16.

There is no direct evidence linking Valera to the murder but opponents insisted the killing was politically motivated in preparation for this year’s elections.

Bersamin was said to be preparing to run against Valera in the gubernatorial race before he was killed.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had placed Abra under its control in the spate of murders occurring in the province ahead of the May elections.

Aside from Bernos and Bersamin, other victims include Tubo Mayor Jose Levi Segundo who was gunned down on Dec. 27, 2001; Tineg Mayor Clarence Benwaren who was murdered in October 2002.

Martin earlier said Abra has been described as the "murder capital" of Cordillera because of the very high incidents of crime against persons with 118 killings from year 2005 to 2006, most of which remain unsolved. – Cecille Suerte Felipe